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In response to media enquiries on reports of four deaths following influenza vaccination in Israel, a spokesman for the Department of Health today (October 26) said the department had obtained replies from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Israeli health authority.
"The WHO has not received reports of serious events or lethal outcomes in countries of the northern hemisphere using the vaccine in question during this flu season. It says there is no reason to stop vaccinating with the vaccines in question or any other seasonal influenza vaccine," he said.
"According to the WHO, Israel's Ministry of Health resumed its immunisation programme on October 23, using the same vaccine."
The spokesman added that the Department of Health had sent letters to all doctors in Hong Kong to brief them about the latest situation.
Meanwhile, the Government Influenza Vaccination Programme (GIVP) for this year will start on November 6 as scheduled, he said.
Ends/Thursday, October 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:30
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